Now Commenting On:

Replay confirms Astros runner out at plate

4/8/14: The Astros challenge the call of an out at home plate in the 8th inning, the call is confirmed after the umpires review the play

By Chris Toman
/
Special to MLB.com |

TORONTO -- A play at the plate in the eighth inning of Tuesday's contest against the Blue Jays had a major impact on Houston's 5-2 series-opening loss.

With one out, and runners on second and third, pinch-hitter Dexter Fowler hit a grounder back to Toronto reliever Brett Cecil, who fielded the ball and tossed it home to nail a sprinting L.J. Hoes at the plate. After home-plate umpire Mike Estabrook ruled Hoes out, Astros manager Bo Porter immediately came out from the dugout.

After Porter challenged the play, the call was confirmed and the review lasted one minute and 26 seconds. Porter said he came out because of multiple issues he had with the play at the plate.

"One, I felt like he blocked the plate before he had the ball and two, I thought Hoes cut underneath the tag," Porter said. "I felt like he tagged him a little high. I thought his foot may have gotten in there."